F 594 
.D15 
Copy 1 






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GRAiND LOD(tE OF U.\ITED STATED, I.O.O.F. 



SEFTEOVEBEIJ,, 1869. 



AK ADDRESS, 



ON THE OCCASION OF THE 



CONPERRIJs'G OF DEGREE OP REBEKAH, 



BY 



jLUVEEi^.ic^nsr lo3dc3-e, ito. 170, 



DECEMBER 14th, 1869, ^ 



Bv P. G. JAMES DALTON. 



i^: 



C I N C! 1 N N A T I : 

H. \. CAHTEK. I'HINTEK, hi; WEST THIRD ST., BET. WALNU I' & VINE. 

1870. 



w 



It 



GRAi\D LODGE OF UNITED STATES, I. O.O.F. 

SEI>TE3VEBEE,, 1869. 



AN ADDRESS, 



ON THE OCCASION OF THE 



CONFERRING OF DEGREE OF REBEKAH, 



BY 



-A-IvCES/ICJLn^ XjOZDOE, ItTo. 170, 



3yi:ETiao:poijiT-A.3^ loxdo-e, zto. 142, 



DECEMBER 14th, 1869, 



By p. G. JAMES DALTON. 







C I N C I N :N' A T J : 

R. N. CARTER, PRINTER, 60 WEST THIRD ST., BET. WALNUT i VINE. 

1870. 



Cincinnati. January 27th, 1870. 

P. G. JAMES DAIjTON : 

Dear Sir and Broth kr — By order of the Lodge, I here- 
with transmit to you a copy of the following resolutions, which 
were unanimously adopted bj' American Lodoe. No. 170,1. 0.0. F, 
of Ohio, at a regular session held Januaiy 25th, 1870 : 

Resolved. That this Lodge request Past Grand James Dalton, 
of Metropolitan Lodge. No. 142, to publish his address delivered 
at our Rebekah Degree meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 14th. 1869. 

Eesolved, That the Recording Secretary transmit Past Grand 
James Dalton a copy of these resolutions, with the Seal of the 
Lodge attached. 

Fjaternally yours, 

W. E. MOORHEAD, Rec. Sec. 



ADDEESS. 



Officers and Members of American and Metropolitan Lodges : 
Ladies and (Ientlkmen : — 

Your Committee of ArrangementH huving honored nie with an 
invitation to address j'ou on this interesting occasion, I shall claim, 
to some extent, indulgence on your part, in complying with their 
request. 

You were this evening convened for a very pleasant purpose — 
Qne which you all fully realize and doubtless appreciate, judging 
by the interest manifested in advancing the knowledge and excel- 
lence of our Order; a purjjose of performing a duty whose offices 
are benevolent and kind — offices in which we find the ladies ever 
ready and willing to aid and assist, and for which they, by their 
sympathizing nature, are so well adapted. To-night we have 
witnessed their willingness to consecrate their lives, if need be, to 
acts of charity and love : to soothe and cheer the distressed in 
every affliction ; in emulation of those bright examples of womanly 
goodness which Holy Writ refers us to. In the progress of our 
Order, these are its fruits. Fifty j'ears ago, in the city of Balti- 
more, a humble man wielded a great iron hammer, and as he let 
it fall upon the firm anvil and heated iron while fiery sparks 
hissed, and flew hither and thither, his great heart throbbed in 
unison with the noble thoughts that engaged his mind. And what 
were those thoughts ? They sought to plan a philanthropic system 
whereby man's mental and moral condition might be improved 
and benefitted. Since then the germ has bloomed and ripened into 
])recious fruit ! Since then the heavy hammer has lain idly by 
beneath the dust of fift}^ years ; but the Blacksmith's life has been 
one grand effort to found an Order whose object was to fraternize 
mankind ! Has he succeeded ? No echo need answer, for the 



answer is found in the presence of these good brothers and sisters 
who throng this hall to-night — aye more, throughout this land of 
ours. SomcAvhere I found a beautiful poem, which also contains 
the answer, and is entitled " Wildey's Bream : " 

A blacksmith stood, at his anvil good, 

Just fifty years ago, 
And struck in his might, to the left and right, 

The iron all aglow. 
And fast and far, as each miniature star 

Illumined the dusky air. 
The sparks of his mind left a halo behind, 

Like the aureola of prayer. 

Again he stood at his anvil good 

With an angel by his side, 
"While he rested his sledge on its iron edge 

And blew up his bellows Avide ; 
He kindled the flame till the white heat came. 

Then murmured in accents low: 
" All ready am I your bidding to try, 

As far as mortal may go." 

So he hammer'd and wrought, and toiled and fouglit 

Till Aurora peeped over the plain ; 
"When the angel flew by, and ascended on high, 

But left on the anvil a chain ! 
Its links were as bright as heaven's own light, 

As pure as the fountain of youth; 
And bore on each fold, in letters of gold, 

This token : Love, Friendship and Truth. 

As the dreamer awoke, he peered through the smoke 

At the anvil that slept by his side; 
And then in a wreath of flower-bound sheaf. 

The triple linked chain he espied. 
Odd Fellowship's gem is that bright diadem. 

Our Emblem in age and in youth ; 
For our hearts we must prove in the fire of Love, 

And mould with the hammer of Truth. 

Those thoughts spread far and wide, and still the answer is 
not complete. Those same three links, still entwining Odd Fel- 
lowship, are touching the homoshorcs of the Atlantic and the 



5 

Pacific, and ore long within tlicir magic circle hIuiU be embraced 
" Old Fatherland " Germany; as, at the last session of the Grand 
Lodge, a commission was appointed to introduce the Order there; 
and, if successful, as it surely will be, groat and grand results will 
follow. 

But I am to tell you of the trip across the Continent, made by 
several members of our Order, and those representatives who 
Avcnt to attend the last session of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, held at San Francisco, California. Without detaining you 
long, or exhausting your patience, I shall endeavor to give you a 
brief account of that trip, with the hope, as my reward, that 
you will be at least interested. 

In company of some twelve or fifteen members of our Order, and 
also a number of ladies, we left Cincinnati on the sixth of Septem- 
ber last, via Chicago, arriving there early the following morning. 
The Order in Chicago extended to us a hearty welcome, and the 
kindness of showing how comfortable they can make strangers feel, 
for 3'ou all know Chicagoians never fail to embrace an opportunity 
of showing how iiiagnificent and hospitable their great city is. We 
passed a j^leasant evening with one of their Lodges, to which we 
had the honor of being introduced by the Grand Master of Illinois, 
Brother Ellis. Here our company was again increased, and now 
numbered nearly one hundred persons, among wdiom was our 
Eight Worthy Grand Sire, Fj. D. Farnsworth, and that venerable 
old Patriarch of our Order, Grand Secretarj^ Jas. L. Eidgley ; and 
also many more ladies. We bade "Good Morning" to Chicago 
.early on the eighth, and left in a special train for Omaha. Our 
trip across the State of Illinois down to the Missouri river, was 
fraught with real pleasure, all endeavoring to make the hom*s pass 
happily on ; and with such joyful company, and the plentiful "lunch 
baskets," time fled gayly as we moved swiftly over the broad 
fields of Illinois and Iowa, which seemed loaded down with corn 
and wheat enough to feed the world ; and as we i*ode over those 
two great Western States, Illinois and Iowa, out from our hearts 
and off our lips spontaneously came the exclamation : " Glorious 
Country, this of ours ; " " God's Country, My Country ! " 

Splendid weather favored us, and nothing marred our pleasure as 
we journeyed on toward Omaha, at which place we arrived safely 
on the 9th. Here the whole delegation, en route to the session 



6 

of the Grand Lodge, assembled, and now numbered nearly one hun- 
dred and seventy-five persons. Ever}- State and Territory of the 
Union was represented. After securing comfortable quarters in that 
young and flourishing city on the Missouri, we proceeded, as per 
previous arrangement, to the Odd Fellows Hall, to receive the 
woleome which the brothei-s of Nebraska had to extend to us. 
Theirwelcome was warm and generous, indeed — worthy of greater 
praise than I can bestow in the brief time allotted me. However, 
a slight mention is due them. As we marched to their Hall, the 
music of our souls kept time and tune to the music of many bands 
that enlivened the occasion, while in chorus fluttered, in the breez;e 
above us, the banners of our Oi'der and country ; and this Avelcome 
came not alone fx-om the brotherhood of Omaha, or from the State, 
through its Grand Master; nor yet alone from the iiiunicipal 
authorities; but the beauty — the ladies of Omaha — greeted us, 
and cheered us onward by their presence and smiles ; and by the 
banqueting table they so luxuriously and bounteously supplied, 
they kindly cared for and remembered the tired traveler. In the 
morning we met the committee of brothers from California, whose 
mission was to receive us at Omaha, and escort us to our desti- 
nation, San Francisco. As we clasj^ed hands we felt a sure frater- 
nal feeling, that they were indeed brothers, and, by their ample 
and full provision for crossing the Continent, promised a trip of 
rare jileasure and comfort. At ten o'clock we left Omaha in 
another train of Pullman's Palace Cars, which were built in mag- 
nificent splendor, sumptuously carpeted and elegantly draped, 
equal indeed to any of our resplendant modern drawing rooms. 
Thus amid the Avaving of man}' handkerchiefs, and as niany '-God 
bless you," we left the good peoj^le and brothers of Omaha. 

We were now fairly on our way. The Committee, in their unre- 
mitting effbrts to make us feel cheerful and happ}',- had provided a 
good stock of California's luscious wines, her rich ripe fruit of 
pears, grapes, &c. ; and " all went as merry as a marriage bell." 
Even the Commissary Car served up our meals in Metropolitan 
style. 

We sped along at the rate of thirty miles an hour, and soon 
were crossing the great i)lains of the Great Platte Yalley. This 
road, about which so much has been said and written, in m}' 
opinion, is well ballasted and smooth, and as good a road as anv 



in the country, Ea.-st or West. A few bi-idyes ihunI needs l)e 
strengthened — hut lias ever ji new roiid been built that sueli has 
not been found necessary? 

The scene within the cars was merry; while witliout, a glance 
showetl us we were i)assingover the broad hunting grounds of the 
savaii'c and the wild buffalo country. As yet, neither Indians nor 
huffalo had attracted our attention : the Indians had started, and 
Avere doubtless iar out on their fall hunt, south of the Platte river ; 
while the buffalo. '• taking time by the forelock," and the crack of 
the Indian's rifle as ominous of no good to them, had started earlier, 
and Avere doubtless still farther south of their fleet and wily enemy. 
We passed over the beautiful valley and river of Elkhorn. The 
valley is finely ada^ited for farms as far out as Columbus, Avhere 
the PuAvnee Indians are located on their reservation. As we sped 
along, I noticed that since my visit here two years ago, many new 
villages had sprung into existence, and Civilizatioii's Mai*ch Avas 
on — still on through the Great West. Our next stopping place 
Avas Grand Island, Avhere Ave partook of our first dinner on the 
plains, for Avhich §1.25 Avas asked and paid, and of Avhich no com- 
])laint could be entered, as everything desirable Avas abundantly 
furnished. The order. - All Aboard " sounded in our ears, 
and soon Ave Avere again rolling over rich Western Yalle3'"s, 
stopping at North Platte, a toAvn Avhere Ave changed engines: 
the only principal feature of Avhich Avas a neat, clean and commo- 
dious hotel. We passed Fort Kearney, stopping at Plum Creek, 
Avhere our engine received a fresh supply of Avood, and Avhere the 
Indians some tAvo yeai's ago perpetrated a raid on the road, 
destroying the entire train, killing the brakcman and engineer, 
and leafing the conductor, as they thought, dead, Avith an arroAv 
piercing his body, but Avho still lives to shoAV his scalp to his friends 
as a trophy of that conflict. Unless I am Avrongly informed, no 
other train has ever been destroj'cd on this road. It was noAv 
eleven o'clock, and while some of our party had sought rest, others 
moved about the train and amused themselves by Avatching the 
hands "AA^ood up." While this operation Avas going on, one of the 
'•roughs" of that Western country Avalked through our train, and 
seemed disposed, by his treacherous look, to crave a scalp, a gold 
Avatch, an overfloAving pocket book, or any trivial thing, just to 
retain as a memento of us; another A\'as spoiling for a fight ; but, 



8 

as he was too slow, our train moved on, and we left him battling 
with an imaginary opponent. 

A bright morning dawned, and ten oclock found us as far on 
our way as the Black Hills and Cheyenne, where we collected and 
sent home to our loved ones, pencil sketches of mountains, and 
mountain scenery that loomed up majestically before our wonder- 
ing vision. Cheyenne is a fine frontier toAvn, and is destined at 
no distant day to be one of much importance. Just about this time 
Ave discovered we were " becoming elevated " in the world, 
inasmuch as we had " gone uj:) " some 6041 feet above the level of 
the sea. The shrill whistle of the locomotive and the sharp call 
of the Conductor, "All Aboard," are imperative orders, not to be 
mistaken under any circumstances, consequently we obe^^cd, and 
again we were off. 

It did not take long to leave many miles in our rear, nor pre- 
sent to view the first range of the grand old Eocky mountains, and 
soon we were ascending the greatest altitude between the Atlantic 
and Pacific oceans. Yet onward and ujDward we went, our poAv- 
erful engine puffing and snorting, struggling up the steep mount- 
ains, as if wearied of its load. The grade is about 90 feet to the mile, 
and we had to rise over 2300 feet in 30 miles. At last Ave began to 
realize we were nearing the extreme height, as overcoats and 
shawls were brought into requisition quite readily, for the Avinds 
had now become extremely chilly, and the temperature had fallen 
rapidly. Finally we reached the summit, 8,250 feet aboA^e the 
surging seas. In such a trip, the tourist finds many sights and 
scenes, not only to interest but deeply impress him Avith aAve and 
wonder. They awaken admiration for nature's sublime beauties, 
and veneration for nature's divine Creator. From the small bur- 
rowing prairie dog to the wild ferocious beast — from the immense 
masses of upheaved rocks, that look like orient ruins long deserted, 
to the broad expanse of immeasurable views of rivers, lakes and 
colossal mountains — all speaking of omniscent wisdom. Certainly 
the soul is lost to pure and noble feeling that fails to find in the 
grandeur of creation, the hand and jjower of One supremely 
divine. 

The descent began ; and the road still Avound round mountain 
after mountain. At Laramie, our next stopjiing place, Ave had 
served for us a fine dinner of antelope steak and prairie chicken. 



with luscious truit Ironi golden California. We next passed Fort 
Saunders, where a detachment of soldiers were stationed to pro- 
tect the citizens. Still descending, j'et midst mountain heights, 
we saw many small settlements, all enjoying an abundance of 
thrift; while here and there we heard the rippling music of some 
beautiful mountain river. After partaking of a comfortable sup- 
per at Kawlinge, our train started on again, we prepared ourselves 
for another nights rest, though several were kept awake by 
severe colds contracted the night previous. The following daj' 
we passed over Green river, where are found those fine specimens 
of moss agate, which, after passing through the artist's hands, are 
manufactured into beautiful articles of jewelry. Men and boys 
come through the cars oft'ering for sale very tine specimens, some 
of which many of our party purchased as relics, at prices i-anging 
from 25 cents to ^1.00. 

We now realize it was the Sabbath, and the command, " to keep 
it Holy," was religiously remembered ; the sound of sacred music, 
and the voice of ])ra3'er ascending to heaven in thanks for kind 
care and protection. After whirling through the range — one 
mighty elevation following close upon another — and crossing many 
more beautiful streams, we reached Wahsatch, Avhere there is quite 
a settlement. The people dwell in tents made of heavy canvas, 
which they claim are quite wai'm and comfortable. B}' the road- 
side, and around the settlement, were encamped a large number 
of emigrant families traveling, not as we were, on a trip of pleasure, 
but to find a home in the far distant West. 

Moving on again, we soon found ourselves in Echo Canon, 
where the rocks tower thousands of feet, almost perpendicularly 
over our heads. In color they are a yellowish red, and as the 
bright rays of a clear sun falls hither and thither upon their 
visible fronts, they look like huge blocks of glittering gold, tempt- 
ingly offered by nature as a part of her inexhaustible wealth 
Looking up they canopy our heads ; a glance below, and the scene 
is one of rare and perfect grandeur and beauty. A bright, beauti- 
ful river — the Weber — rolls its clear crystal waters among great 
gorges and deep ravines far, far below, thus forming a picture 
with wh.ich grand old painters of yore would gladly have penciled 
the finest canvas. 'Tis here the cars stop, especially to afford 
passengers the opportunity of witnessing Avhat I have but fjiintly 



10 

described. With uncovered heads, wo gathered around our worthy 
chaphun,'the Eev. J. W. Venable, of Ky., who with uplifted hands 
raised his voice to Heaven, in a prayer of deep, earnest thanks, 
and invocation for protection on our journey — a prayer that pene- 
trated and found a responsive echo in every heart. The scene 
will never pass from the memorj" of one that witnessed it, until 
the mind be stilled by death, as lapse of time will never eftace it 
from our memories. Moving on again, the scene increased in 
grandeur, beauty and deeper interest. Again we met Weber's 
waters still rushing down the mountain's side, this time between 
two huge rocks, which form what is called Devil's Gate. Our 
next stopping point was echo valley, where there is quite a settle- 
ment, and is the last town east of King Brigham Young's domin- 
ions, which our "party of Gentiles" soon encroached upon. Many 
of the Mormon villages now appeared in view; but what we had 
seen of moi-mon life satisfied our curiosity for a time ; consequently 
we passed around their metropolis, Salt Lake City, via Ogden and 
Corinne to Promontory, the end of the Union Pacific E. E., at 
which place we arrived at 12 P. M., where we changed cars and 
started out on the Central Pacific E. E., 816 miles distant from 
Sacramento. To include 800 miles from Cincinnati to Omaha, we 
had traveled up to 12 P. M. Sunday, 1884 miles. At Promontory, 
whose people also live in canvas tents — no wooden house being 
there at all — we were received in a manner altogether unexpected, 
and not before participated. As we approached the station, we dis- 
covered bonfires blazing in all parts of the town, which, of course, 
excited our curiosity to know the reason thereof. We anticipated 
a diff'erent wecome; instead, however, a scene wo had often heard 
of yet never wittnossod, amused us. Before many of their tents, fires 
burned brightly, and around tables, covered with coarse army 
blankets, uncouth rough looking men were gathered, all apparently 
deeply interested in a game called " three card monto." A tall 
man, with dark, heavy whiskers, and very large green goggles, 
seemed to bo the presidig genius ; and as he handled the many 
pieces of bright glittering gold, in his nonchalant manner, he 
called out in the hackneyed voice of an auctioneer: "Who'll take 
a twenty, forty, fifty or a hundred dollar chance? — black spot 
turning up takes the gold." "Wa'll, I'll bet ten dollars," cried 
another seedy bystander, but " No, yer don't," returned Green 



11 

Goggles — " nothing less than a twenty gold 'un, down on this 
table." Down goes the gold twenty, and the black spot turns 
up. "Faint heart never won a fair woman," musically falls in 
delicious nasal harmonj' from old Green Goggles, but the charm- 
ing and seductive trap did not succeed in drawing any of our 
party into their game; and while a feeling assured us all that we 
had passed one point of personal danger, and a reception not the 
least promising, our train moved on ; and thus we left them to test 
their enterprising ai'ts on others more verdant than we. 

While many enjoj^ed the invigorating powers of Morpheus, 
others passed the moments away in thinking of homo, until the 
hand of time pointed out the new hours of another day, and the 
brightly beaming smiles of the morning's sun were fairly thrown 
in our faces, thus awaking all to the fact that we had passed 
beyond that " rest " for " Saints," Utah Territory, and were 
descending into the great America Sahara — a desert five hundred 
miles long. On we sj^ed through this barren waste, while Sol 
rose higher and higher, and the white sandy alkali dust brought 
premature age to our locks ; not the least sprig of grass, or the shade 
of any tree was to be seen ; nothing seemed before us but a broad 
and mighty sea of shifting sand and sage brush, and heartily glad 
were we when we reached the end of the great desert, and over a 
river bearing the name of that great explorer, Humboldt. 

Large quantities of silver and fine minerals are found near and 
upon the banks of this river. One silver mine. Mineral Point, is 
said to produce eight to ten thousand dollars to the tun. Toano was 
our next stopping place ; and here we partook of a meal pi'epared 
entirely by Chinese, and which we enjoyed fully as well as did 
John Chinaman the $1.00 greenback we paid him, as his price for 
the meal. We found them scattered along on either side of the 
road for miles, seeming to be contented and happy. 

The Pacific E. E. will be the means of introducing into this 
country, this kind of labor rapidly. While those grand old 
mountains furnished the immense quantities of lumber required in 
building that road, God, directing man as his agent in the worki 
imported the laborer, the Chinese; and this, no doubt, will be one 
of the grand mediums in finally christianizing that great Nation. 
Thousands of these people are now making rapid advances in 



12 

civilization ; thej readily leurn tu read and write, being sus- 
ceptible of fine education. 

Another long stretch of the sandy desert, and it passed from 
our vioAV, we touched the greatest of all wonders, the Sierra 
Nevada mountains, whose loftiness and grandeur are exceeded by 
none on this continent. Our two powerful and trusty engines 
vigorously carried us still onward and upward, and as we rose 
higher and higher the grandeur and beauty of the scene increased, 
until now it seemed almost indescribable. Imagination even fails 
to picture the majestic reality of the scene. As Ave journeyed on 
through those mighty and everlasting mountains — as, A\dien our 
train stood still, and Ave Avalked to the road's edge and glanced 
many thousand feet beloAv, our Avondering A-ision folloAved the 
foaming waters of that crystal river — the Truckee — in their Avild 
meandering, mile upon mile, over and among huge craggy rocks. 
thus forming a miniature Niagara, and a picture that neither they 
who wield the most powerful pen in poetry or prose, or the fine 
and graphic crayon could paint, eA^en in their imaginary' concej)- 
tion, but half of its sublime realitj- — each and all felt and recog- 
nized in this the hand and poAver of an eternal divine Creator, and 
an immutable Being. 

Finally, we gained the summit, 7,042 feet high, and after once 
more viewing the awfully grand spectacle nature presented, Ave 
entered on the descent, and the first place of note and interest that 
next appeared, Avas Cape Horn, Avhere again the glance falls far 
below 'midst fearful depths, gorges and ravines, that made us 
shudder to contemplate. This point is one of great grandeur and 
beauty. The next station bore the name of our worthy Vice Presi- 
dent, CoLPAX, the founder of our beautiful Degree of Eebekah. 
Many of the good people of Colfax boarded the train, not to make 
long reception speeches, but to ofter us a fresh supply of rich Cali- 
fornia fruit. "We found that they Avere not entirel}^ strange to us, 
as Ave discovered^them to be "brothers of our friendly order," pride- 
ing themselves Avith a first rate working Lodge, Avhich received 
from us three hearty cheers. 

From this jioint w^e descended rapidly, our train only stopiiing 
for a moment to permit us to see Lake Donner, a magnificent body 
of Avater. Again we Avalked to the road's edge, and looked thou- 



13 

sands of foot below upon its trunsparont waters; ami. as the sun's 
ra3's danced over their broad surface, it seemed as if we were 
looking into a vast mirror brilliantly burnished. 

NoAV that this ,<i;reat national road is completed, we nui}- expect 
some of the rarest and tinest natural scenery that has ever been 
transferred to canvas. 

The lovely valky of Sacramento was next presented to our 
view; and as we neared and entered Sacramento city, from Avork- 
shop and dwelling came the people waving handkerchiefs, and 
tendering a full and fi'ee welcome to our party, representing as we 
did, every State and Territory in the union. A committee escorted 
us to the difterent hotels engaged for us. and which. I assure you. 
we were glad to reach, after live days and four nights of constant 
riding. 

A highly enjoyable supper after, and an evening passed in 
interchange of general conversation, interesting to all, we retired 
to rest — the only real rest we had had for manj^ nights. 

The following morning we were showo the man}' interesting 
sights, the cit}' of Sacramento had to show us — such as its perpet- 
ually blooming tlowers and trees — the Oleander, Fig, Orange, 
Pomegranate and Palm. After dinner, together with the Lodges 
of Sacremento and vicinity, we formed into procession, and 
marched in grand pagent, to w^here the officers of the Grand Lodge 
were to lay the corner-stone of a ncAv I. O. O. F. Hall ; and, as 
they very beautifully and imposingly performed the interesing 
ceremonies, and the stone secui*ely laid, we felt ourselves bound 
to our strange brothers, and to our fellowman stronger and firmer 
by Odd Fellowsliip's Chain, than ever before. Eeturning to our 
hotels, we prepared ourselves, and attended a grand banquet given 
in honor of the Grand Lodge. Any attempt to describe the boun- 
teous luxury of the tables would be vain. The Ladies of Sacra- 
mento graced the occasion in distinguished numbers. Fi'om the 
banqueting room Ave repaired to the spacious hall where Terpsi- 
chore presided ; hundreds danced to melodious music, in which 
they engaged until the hours passed to the soft gray twilight of 
morning, and bade us seek rest. Our rest, however, was of short 
duration, as we were awakened quite early and hurried to the 
train that Avas to convey us to our journej^'s end. Again Ave Avere 
Avinding around lofty hills and rolling through valleys, nearing 



14 

our destination. "Almeda!'' cried our obliging conductor. Hardly 
could we realize that we were to bid adieu to further railroad 
travel until we should return home. Yet such was the joyful fact. 
Almeda is the residence of California's Grand Eepresentativo 
Bi'o. Nathan Porter, by whom we were kindly received and taken 
to his magnificent mansion, with ornamental grounds attached, 
where a fine lunch had been spread and was in waiting for us; 
and after doing full justice to our brother's hospitality, we passed 
on to a fine steamer, which soon carried us over the bay, and 
landed us on the shore of San Francisco. As we entered the 
haven so far distant from our own dear homes, a thrill of joy j)ene- 
trated the heart of each weary traveler — weary, did I saj^? No, 
I recall that; for as we stepped upon the shore, all weariness was 
dissipated. The city's bell rang forth in hospitable tones, martial 
music cheered us onward, while man}'- thousand people marched 
in columns before and in rear of our carriages, escorting us through 
those elegant streets which were thronged with people, to the spa- 
cious theater, where we were cordially and fraternally welcomed 
in a speech b}' the Grand Master of California, Bro. Harmon, and 
which was responded to with equal feeling by our Eight Worthj' 
Grand Sire, E. D. Farnesworth ; after which, we retired to our 
hotels — establishments that will compare with any in the East, 
and bring the blush to Cincinnati. 

The succeeding morning, the elegant steamer. Senator, carried 
us down the bay of San Francisco. The numerous beauties of the 
bay were pointed out to us. The famous " Golden Gate " Avas an 
especial object of interest. We returned to the city for dinner; 
after which, we visited Woodward's Gardens, which contain a fine 
collection of wild animals ; and a drive on the road around the bay 
as far as the Cliff House, was enjoyed delightfully. Here we saw 
those wonderful creatures, the sea dogs, or seals, sunning them- 
selves upon huge rocks, far out from the shore, and making the 
air hideous with their shrill yelpings. One great fellow appeared 
like a lion, ever and anon raising his huge head, and roaring tre- 
mendously, and has been named, on account of a resemblance, 
" Ben Butler." Next a trip around the bay by rail, visiting San 
Jose and Santa Clara, and other beautiful places ; and scattered 
along the road were many handsome residences — fairly palatial, 
and elegant enough for a Prince to reside in. To particularize, is 



15 

beyond my province; but to mention briefly, was the residence of 
a Mr. Barron, a gentleman : 

Old and wealthy, as a nabob living, 

Kind and clever, and generous of heart, 
Sly and cunning, and yet never shunning. 

And yet never caught by young Cupid's art. 

His whole establishment is one of luxury and ease, and as yet, 
wherever I have traveled, I have seen nothing surpassing it. 
Many of the merchants of San Francisco dwell in these elegant 
suburban villas. While we invite the stranger to our classic 
" Over the Ehine," San Franciscoians lead us away to their 
" Celestial Corner," a portion of their city the Chinese occupy. 
They appear to be always bus}', trading mostly among themselves, 
and are seemingly contented in their new sphere of life. We 
visited their Temple where they worship in their i)eculiar manner, 
and as we entered, they showed us marked respect. Their mode 
of living, doing business, and worship, was indeed curious, and 
withal, deeply Interesting to us. They delight in their gambling 
houses, in which they maintain the strictest order, and allow no 
strangers to enter unless accompanied by a policeman. They 
patronize a theater exclusively controlled by themselves, and 
wherein only Chinese actors are engaged. I venture to say, should 
you ever visit one of their theaters, you will at once declare your- 
self to be in a perfect Babel. Manj^ families employ them as 
servants, and, I am informed, they make reliable help. They are 
neat, clean and industi-ious ; but one thing, however, is to bo 
regretted : they indulge in considerable vice — their women esi^eci- 
ally being very obscene, and living a depraved life. 

San Francisco is built up, street after street, of elegant business 
and substantial private and public buildings, and which are not 
surpassed by any city in the union, either in architectural or 
modern convenience. Their Churches. Public Library and Cham- 
ber of Commerce and Hotels, claim particular mention, but which 
now must needs be passed by. There the Odd Fellows are farther 
in the advance, in every respect, of their brethren in the jurisdiction 
of the G. L., U. S. They hold up, while the citizens look upon 
Odd Fellowship as an order exalted to the highest of all honorable, 
moral, intellectual and beneficent positions. The Odd Fellows of 



1(5 

San Francisco may justly pride themselves in having the finest 
Lodge rooms in the U. S. Their Union Hall stands preeminent. 
Besides its elaborately frescoed and commodious Lodge rooms, 
there is, in the same building, a library and reading room, -where 
literature from all parts of the civilized world is gathered, and may 
be perused at leisure, or an hour or so be vvhiled away in such 
social and amusing games as chess, chequers, &c. ; a Printing 
Department, where the Age, and other Odd Fellows literature is 
printed, and an Odd Fellows Saving Bank, which is supported by 
the fraternity cxclusivel}'. This magnificent building is valued at 
§250,000 in gold, and is owned by the diifercnt Lodges meeting 
therein. Thus, to be an Odd Fellow in California, joii must live 
devoted to its noble, pure and great principles. At its portals the 
best of men are knocking, and thxis the Order moves on to higher 
position. Just here I will embrace the opportunity of mentioning 
our own great need of a better hall. You all will at once admit 
that such is our present want. Then let me ask you to emulate 
the action of our brothers in the far West. Let us build for our- 
selves a Temple that will compare equally with that in San 
Francisco. Nay, more ; go farther still and excel, until you have 
reared an edifice that will nobly speak and picture, what volumes 
cannot, your deeds and j^our devotion. Let it be a proud monu- 
ment — perishable only by nature's destroying elements, to remain 
long after your warm heart, that now throbs for others woes, or 
your extended hand that offers now the gift of charity, have 
ceased their works of love. Eear 3'ou now a Temple, and it will 
be an enduring admiration for all future time. The opportunity 
is noAV offered, and will 3-ou shrink from its acceptance? I hope 
not. 

^ But to return. The climate of California is always delightful ; 
for it is seldom extreme cold weather occurs. The temperature 
has in nineteen years only been six times at 90 degrees, and sel- 
dom below 40 degrees. There is never such a thing as a thunder 
and lightning storm ; they never prefer their earthquakes to our 
storms. Tropical and other fruit grow in abundance, and is the 
finest in the world. I have seen pears that measured ten inches 
long, and bunches of grapes, fifteen inches, weighing eight pounds 
to the bunch. They claim that because of the very healthy cli- 
mate, people never die there ; and in this connection they tell us an 



17 

amusing story, now passed into legend: " An old eitizen who luul 
resided twcnt}' years or more in California, and had lived ucarly 
man"s allotted time of three score 5'ears and ten, concluded that he 
ought to die, hut could not in California. 80 he moved to one of 
the Eastern States, died there, and Avas huried. But his love for 
the Golden State Avent with him e'en down to his last hours, and 
some say through deaths dark valley and shadow also. In mak- 
ing his will, he provided for the removal of his hody to California, 
and directed it should be done immediately following his decease. 
All this was properly done, and his remains deposited in the cenie- 
ter}' there, and orders left for a fine monument to be placed over 
his grave. But because of the excecdingl}^ healthy climate, and 
before the marble cutter could fill the order for his monument, 
this same old gentleman was seen walking the streets again in 
perfect health ! '" 

Ohio's Grand Kepresentative, Bro. John W. Carter, conferred 
the Degree of Rebekah on seventy-six ladies one evening in their 
Lodge room, in his usual eloquent and impressive manner. The 
occasion is another never to be forgotten by those who participated. 
The following morning, after the adjournment of the Grand 
Lodge, our Avhole delegation divided into separate parties, each 
to visit where they deemed the most interest would be found. 
Among our party was our venerable J.\s. L. Eidgely and wife, 
and P. G. Sire Race, of New Orleans, and Rep. Hervey Brown 
and wife, of Tennessee. The party in which I was, desired to 
visit the Geyser's spring, we went by boat to Vallego, thence by 
rail to Callistoga, where we tarried long enough to lunch ; and 
from thence again, by stage to the world-wide famous Geyser's 
springs. Let me ask you to take an imaginary ride with me as 
far as these mineral springs. Remember, with you it will be only 
an imaginary ride, but with our party it was one of fearful 
reality. Let us seat ourselves in a long, uncovered coach, drawn 
by four strong horses, and off we will start at full gallop, a ride of 
six miles through the dust has brought us to the mountain's base. 
A short rest and we enter on the ascent. Slowly we move on, 
until the summit is gained, and now the descent has begun. 'Tis 
quite rapin and steep ; yet, for safety sake, our driver breaks down 
on the wheels with full force, while the horses are still on a full 
run, and our coach moves over the mountain road at lively speed. 



IS 

Kotice that the road is luirrow, and ouly unc vehicle can pass over 
it at any one point : others may go before, or follow in rear, yet 
not side by side can two move along. Our horses are still run- 
ning — look before you, you cannot see the leaders, for they arc 
quickly around the sharp curve — look again, but half their body 
do you see this time; again, and they are out of sight once more. 
And so it is. But note not the horses alone, for while they whirl 
us around these fearfully short curves, we must not forget they 
carry iis over an extremely narrow road, wide only from wheel to 
wheel, with scarce six inches to spare. Lean forward to your loft. 
but slightly though, lest yonr Aveight thrown there too inut-h will 
overbalance, and the chasm is deep and dark below, not I'ar from 
three thousand feet. Aye ! life's crimson fluid runs chilling through 
your veins, and your whole frame shudders and trembles like the 
quivering aspen, while your precious breath is held as if in life's 
last suspense, as you glance almost perpendicularly three thousand 
feet below, (rlance at what'? In that vertiginous depth, there 
runs a stream of water pure and crystal. The refulgent rays from 
the sun fall upon it, and then you question : " Is it a stream of 
water?" No; 'tis but a thread of silver, a mile or more in length. 
But the sun is now sinking slowly to its setting. Yoiir eyesight 
seems growing infirm. Again, as you shrink back in hon'or, 3'ou 
think of the abyss below, and the brink you are riding on, and 
you arouse yourself to find you are beneath the shade of night — 
but 'tis not darkness — 'tis only the soft, gray twilight of the 
approaching evening that dims your vision ; but the dimness does 
not last long; for while you look toward yon West, vainly hoping 
to catch one faintly lingering gleam from the now vanished sun 
to cheer your way, you turn despondingly away only to utter a 
shout of joy as you turn your eye heavenward, and think "He 
made the stars also," for now they shine above 3'ou like brilliant 
diamonds ; your shout of joy swells as you direct your eye towards 
the orient, and as your gaze becomes Avell nigh fixed, a full round 
moon rises, till near over your head it smiles down upon you, and 
laughs at your tremor and fear. With a venturous feeling you 
glance again, and this time behold down on that far oif bottom, 
long, narrow fragments of a broken mirror; you shrink back at 
the awe-inspiring scene, but the beautiful moon bids you be of 
good cheer, and keeps you company, lighting your narrow roatl. 



19 

until the ligbt of the Geyser House, far down at the bottom of the 
mountain, breaks forth upon our vision, and was hailed with joy, 
indeed, by our whole party. Then once more you find yourself 
leanini:!; toward the left, peering down between the mountain's sides, 
Ihat now almost kiss each other, and which a draughtman's rod 
would apparently connect : your heart throbs with gladness as you 
find yourself safelj' over and at the base of the mountain. You 
are mistaken if you think this an ideal picture, touched by imagi- 
nation's graphic pen. It is one of nature's sublime and truthful 
scenes, and must needs be viewed to be fully realized. I atwsa 
ride fraught with thrilling fear and wonder, and a feeling far from 
being pleasant. HoAvevcr, after a warm supper we retired, and in 
the morning we employed a guide, and started to see still greater 
wonders, the Geyser Springs. The scenery around them is wild, 
picturesque and grand in the extreme. The springs are the 
grandest freaks of nature in the w^orld. They contain great quan- 
tities of sulpliur, iron, soda, ammonia, magnesia, and other alkali- 
genous substances : many ai'o continually boiling, and °no matter 
where you may tread, there is a steaming and seething under 
3'our feet : you Avalk, as it were, upon a spunginous crust, which 
seems to rise, sink and shake under j^our tread, and man}- places 
it is hot enough to crisp your shoe soles. The suri-ounding atmos- 
phere is extremely sulphurous, and an irresistible feeling creeps 
over you that you are in the immediate neighborhood of Old 
Belzebub"s dominions — at least we experienced such a one, and 
consequently our curiosity was soon satisfied. 

The succeeding day we departed for Sacramento, and arrived 
there the following morning, and remained until six o'clock of the 
next morning, when we started for, and, after another ride through 
the Sierra Nevadas, arrived at Truckee, w^here we spent a short 
time in visiting surrounding sights, prominent among which was 
Lake Tahoe, said to be the highest body of water known of its 
size in the world. It has been fathomed 3,100 feet, and as yet 
found bottomless. It is clear as crystal, and veiy fine trout is 
found here in great abundance ; is thirtj'-five miles long and fifteen 
wide. Another point of interest was Cornelian Bay, some fcAV 
miles distant from Tahoe, from whence comes the article manu- 
factured into jewehy. An enterprizing Ohio man, a good Odd Fel- 
low. Bro. W. B. Lyon, has established a vei-y nice hotel there, and 



2(1 

does a profitable business uccommodating pleasure _seekers, who 
can there find amusement in fishing, hunting, sailing on the lake, 
or rolling ten pins at Bro. Lyon's house. This is truly a delightful 
resort, and will be eventually' preferred to the Eastern shore, or 
the White mountains. Bidding adieu to Bro. Lyon, we returned 
to Truckee, and met the train having on board the balance of our 
delegation. We found nearly all sleeping soundly, doubtless 
" dreaming the happy hours away." Another ride through the 
long desert, and we arrived at Uintah, where we took the stage 
for the " blessed city," Salt Lake, distant thirtj'-five miles. When 
near the city, a committee of Odd Fellows — fur Odd Fellows arc 
even in Mormondom — met and escorted us to a hotel, whose pro- 
prietor is a jolly Mormon with three wives, and doubtlesss has now 
another, as he told us he was " calculating " for the fourth. While 
there, we were shown the " Holy Tabernacle," and other public 
and private buildings. The temple is perfectly round, with a roof 
cycloid or bell shape, and very thick walls, and is capable of com- 
fortably seating ten thousand people. We were introduced to 
Brigham Young, and attended worship at his temple, where we 
listened to an interesting address by him. He has sixty-four 
wives scattered throughout Utah. Thirty-four are in the city, 
only twelve, however, being with him in his mansion. He is now 
sixty -five years old, yet is in possession of remarkably good health, 
mentally and physically, which he attributes to the non-use of 
tea, coffee and intoxicating liquors. He peacefully rules and 
guides an hundred and fifty thousand people, and while many a 
man complains of having to govern and control one wife, he man- 
ages sixty-four Avith perfect harmony, but it is just sixty-three 
more than I desire to care for. His " small famil}" " consists of 
sixty -four wives, eighty boys, and one hundred and twenty girls, 
all told — two hundred and sixty-four persons, exclusive of himself. 
He claims there is less trouble and expense with all these, than by 
our marital system. Fancy this happy family around a good old- 
fashioned thanksgiving dinner, and what a joyful scene it would 
be. The Odd Fellows have a neat, comfortable hall, and a flour- 
ishing Lodge, as also a Rebekah Degree Lodge, separate and 
independent. Both are working finely, though they contend with 
much opposition, as Odd Fellowship finds no favor with Brigham. 
yet they feel encouraged. 



21 

Salt Lake City is a iicat and clean place, thougli wanting in 
haiulsonic buildings. Yet the beautiful river, Jordan, running 
through the center of the city, is a grand attraction. 

On our return to Uintah, we prepared for the long ride to 
Omaha, and from thence directly home. 

Such was the trip across the Continent. And now, in con- 
clusion, there are many things I might say for the good of the 
Order; though the good the Oi-der is doing, speaks for itself. 
It has taught man the true fraternal relation, by impressing upon 
his mind the fact that God is the common Father of all. It has 
made him more just, more reliant of his fellowman's integrity, and 
considerate of his wants; and while he is an every day witness of 
its deeds of love and charity, in his heart increases pride and 
thanks for such kindly offices. Of the present, and of the future, 
he is more thoughtful and solicitous. The true and good Odd 
Fellow ever keeps in mind its fraternal commands, and what 
are they? One clothes itself with wings and flies hither and 
thither to the bed of sickness, and lays a soothing hand upon a 
fevered brow, or whispers words of cheer In lonely hours. Another 
speaks words of comfort to the disconsolate, and holds out the full 
hand of charity to the distressed. Occasionally the grim old war- 
den, death, summons from the Lodge room a brother, and erases 
his honored name from the roil book. Our duty then is sad and 
mournful : it affectionately bids us to "bury the dead," though it 
ends not here. Under its protecting wings we gather the weep- 
ing widow and her tender orphan, and provide them a shelter 
strong and secure, against the ills of life. Thus, as an angel of 
mercy, it is going about, visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, 
burrying the dead, and educating the orphan. Is there one here 
that has in his heart no love, no pride for this, our Order, whoso 
record stands unblemished? I feel that from your heart comes 
only the one resjionsive echo: "Not one!" Henceforth let us, 
one and all, step higher on this ladder of universal brotherhood, 
whose rounds glitter with golden letters, spelling Friendship. Love, 
Truth, Faith, Hope and Charity. 



ANNUAL REBEKAH DEGREE, 
ENTERTAINMENT 

OF 
AND 

oMetx'opolitan Loclg-e, INo. X^^^ 

I. 0. 0. r., OF OHIO, 
AT EAGLE HALL, S. W. Corner EU/hth <t- Central Avenue, 

TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14th, 1869. 



INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS: 

James Dalton, P. G., Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1-42. 

SOLO : Organ : . . . Prof. Max Liebling. 
QUARTETTE, . . . Messrs. J. C. McLaughlin, 

A. & G. Neavhall, T. Sullivan. 

SOLO : Violin, . . .Dr. M. A. Wilson. 
BALLAD, .... J. C. McLaughlin. 

DUETT: Flute, . . . Jas. Murdock, Jr., A. W. Hentz 

ADDRESS. 

Wm. Strunk, p. G. American Lodge, No. 170. 

QUARTETTE, . . . Messrs. J. C. McLaughlin, 

A. & G. Newhall, T. Sullivan. 

RECITATION, .... James Maguire, P. G. 

American Lodge, No. 170. 

BALLAD, .... Thomas Kruse. 
SOLO : Piano, .... Prof. Max Liebling. 
BALLAD, .... John B. Powell. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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